Have you noticed how the birds pump up the volume and the squirrels are skittering about faster when the sun shines? Spring will be here next month, and the critters are already getting excited. And, yup, I've been playing in the garden a bit myself. Just pulling a few weeds and taking pictures of the early bloomers.

Yes, I have flowers in bloom already -- don't you? Snow drops are opening and the Hellebores have been blooming since Christmas -- guess that's why they call them Christmas Roses. I really should be painting them -- that is what I have in mind as I photograph them.

How about you? Do you paint plein air (French for open air) or do you work from memory and photos?

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Speaking of art and the outdoors, the deadline for entering Valley Art Center's Art by the Falls is Feb. 24. Check out the details in this column. VAC is a very busy place these days. They are also looking for someone with creative ideas to help design and create their float for Blossom 2013.

Gallery One

Gallery One, 7003 Center St., Mentor, is celebrating the 75th birthday of its president and founder, Alan Brown, with a giant photography exhibit. Brown's "First 75 Years" photo exhibit includes more than 100 photographs of local landmarks and exotic locations.

The show opens with a reception from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, featuring an informal lecture at 2 p.m. followed by a celebration complete with giant birthday cake. The exhibit will be up through February.

Brown was an accomplished photographer long before he opened Gallery One in 1974 with wife Norah Lynne. His "First 75 Years" features his favorite images, all dramatically produced as original photographs on canvas, captured by today's state-of-the-art printing system, the giclee method.

Brown's fascination with photography began in high school when he photographed events, historic buildings and even used his telescope to obtain images of the moon.

Not only do his images take you to the moon, but this globetrotter's images reveal moments in nature most of us would never be blessed to view were it not for Brown's patience and focus. His work will be up though February.

Where else can you take a trip back in our local history -- his work includes many landmarks that are now just memories -- as well as travel to the Galapagos, the Amazon jungle, Machu Picchu, China, Alaska, Morocco, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

It is no surprise that his work is award-winning and widely published, including honors from USArt magazine, Popular Photography, Wildlife Art magazine, American Photo, Photographer's Forum and Lake Metroparks.

Brown's lecture will center on his unusual approach to photography. His camera is a Contax.

"I'm sold on Zeiss lenses, and while Contax is an unorthodox choice for outdoor photography, it works for me," Brown said.

Gallery One is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 440-255-1200 or 800-621-1141, or visit www.galleryone.com.

Next up: The 22nd "Masterworks in Miniature," Gallery One's giant show and sale of small originals by major artists opens March 8, with 150 works 9-inches-by-12-inches and smaller -- proving that there is always room for fine art.

Lake Metroparks Farmpark

Do the freezing nights have you thinking hot colors and inviting textures? Check out one of Ohio's finest quilt shows, "Quilts 2013," opening Saturday at the Lake Metroparks Farmpark Visitors Center, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland. The show is marks its 22nd year and seems to attract a bigger audience each year.

This year, the story behind each quilt is being displayed with the quilter's name and judging information. Remember to cast your ballot for the People's Choice award.

Quilts 2013 is a judged show filled with beautiful quilted works -- wall hangings, bed covers and wearable art by artists from Northeast Ohio and around the United States.

The show runs through March 27 and includes classes, demonstrations, plus a unique shopping opportunity during Vendor Days March 1 to 3.

Here are the top winners in "Quilts 2013": Shandra Belknap of Gates Mills was awarded the Best of Show honors; Christine Saletes-Allchin, Willoughby, Best Hand Quilting; Lynn Michel, Huron, Best Machine Quilting; Christel Richard, North Canton, Best Traditional; and the Color Award goes to Carol Fleming Chenoweth of Perry. Congratulations to all. Especially from those of us with pieces sitting cut and stacked waiting for motivation.

Quilts 2013 hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission is $6 general; $5 for ages 60 and older; $4 for ages 2 to 11; and free for Farmpark members and children younger than 2. For more information, visit lakemetroparks.com or call 440-256-2122 or 800-366-3276.

Valley Art Center

Hundreds attended the opening of "The Moody Blues" at Valley Art Center, 155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls. Stop by before March 7 to see the show.

VAC is also seeking artists for upcoming shows, including the popular Art by the Falls in June and "Creatures Featured," an exhibit of paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs showcasing our majestic animal kingdom, both domestic and wild, opening April 5.

Any artist interested in submitting work can do so through EntryThingy, available on www.valleyartcenter.org -- just click Calls to Entry. The deadline for Art by the Falls is Feb. 24, and for "Featured Creatures" it is March 11. Contact the gallery director with questions at gallerycom@valleyartcenter.org or call 440-247-5803. Ask about the float design opportunities for Blossom 2013 when you call or stop in.

Reminders

Carl Feather's "These are the Stories I Tell: Portraits From Goldenseal" is on view through March 4 at the Ashtabula Arts Center', 2928 W. 13th St.. Check out Feather's blog and website at www.thefeathercottage.com.

The show has inspired several programs, including "discARTed" Family Day on Feb. 23 and "Scrap" Book-Making Workshop on March 20. Learn more at geaugaparkdistrict.org.

David Rankin is presenting an all-day watercolor workshop on Feb. 23 at the Euclid Historical Museum, 21129 North St. The EAA Gallery is on the second floor. The workshop, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., is limited to 24 participants. The cost is $35 for EAA members and $40 for non-members. Call Susan Herrle at 216-481-5105 or email her at suetom.herrle@sbglobal.net and include EAA in the subject line.

The Lakeland Gallery, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, is hosting the Annual Lake and Geauga County Junior and Senior High School Art Show through the Artist Reception and Award Ceremony on Feb. 24.

Gallery tours make excellent for field trips for students, scouts or clubs. Call Gallery Director Mary Urbas 440-525-7029 or email murbas@lakelandcc.edu for details, including entry details for the fourth annual May Show at Lakeland Juried Art Exhibition . It will be on display May 17 through July 19.